It’s a metaphor for the highest levels of spiritual light.
Specifically, we’re talking about neshama, haya, and yeḥida – three elevated aspects of the soul. Think of them as the “brains” of the partzuf, or divine configuration. a bit, drawing on the wisdom found in the Introduction to the Sulam Commentary. We begin with Atik, a primordial configuration. Imagine Atik receiving something like a spiritual gestation and infancy, represented by the heights of Nefesh (soul) and Ruach (spirit).
Then, Atik does something fascinating: it ascends as "feminine waters" to the head of Sag. Now, Sag is another partzuf, and within it resides Ḥokhma (wisdom) and Bina (understanding). Atik's ascent brings these two into a face-to-face relationship. In other words, it restores harmony and directness of influence between two key dimensions of divine intellect.
But here’s where it gets really interesting. The Bina within the Ḥokhma of Adam Kadmon (a primal, archetypal Man) is special. It isn’t mixed with Malkhut (kingship, the material world). Because of this purity, when Atik receives illumination from Sag, it also pulls down its own Malkhut from its own Bina.
Why does this matter? Well, this turning of Ḥokhma and Bina in Sag towards each other causes changes in the lower levels. Think of it like a ripple effect. When a lower level, like Atik, is exposed to the unconstricted illumination of a higher level like Sag of Adam Kadmon, it starts to mimic that higher level.
According to the Sulam Commentary, this exposure to the higher, unconstricted level causes the lower level to copy the higher one, undoing the constriction caused by the ascent of Malkhut to Bina. It's like the lower level is "remembering" its original, unconstricted state.
So, Atik then raises its three vessels – its Bina, Tiferet (beauty), and Malkhut – back to its level. These vessels had fallen due to the intermingling of Malkhut in Bina, a process called the "second constriction."
As a result, Atik now possesses Keter (crown), Ḥokhma, Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut as vessels. And within these vessels? The lights of Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Ḥaya, and Yeḥida can then be enclothed. It’s a complete system, ready to receive and transmit the divine flow.
What does all this mean for us? Maybe it's a reminder that even when things feel constricted or limited, exposure to higher wisdom and understanding can help us to restore balance and wholeness within ourselves. Maybe by turning our faces towards wisdom, we can invite our own "Malkhut" to descend and fill the vessels of our being with light. What do you think?